LEONARD GRAY

HAHNVILLE – For many children, even in a so-called “rural” parish as St. Charles Parish, “woods” are the vacant lot down the street. For the fifth year in a row, area sheriff’s deputies are working to change this notion. Operation First Class sheriff’s camp in Kiln, Miss. gathers at-risk boys from across southeast Louisiana, working with the Boy Scouts of America, to expose children to the great outdoors, while learning responsibility, leadership and improving self-image. Cpl. Burley McCarter of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said the boys are recommended by schools, churches and D.A.R.E. officers and attending camp is free of charge. Several goals are met through the week-long camp, this year set for July 15-21. These include breaking down community boundaries, promoting leadership and getting to know deputies as people. McCarter explained that often youths live in their own narrow social environment and by the time they are in high school, they come to see youths from other communities as rivals. By associating with these same youths at the camp, learning of each other, sharing the camp experience and achieving goals through teamwork, the boys make friends from other places and head off problems in the future. At the same time, the boys get to know the deputies working as camp counselors and see them as much more than a faceless uniform. Between 50 and 60 boys are attending the camp this session, accompanied by 11 deputies. Sheriff Greg Champagne of St. Charles, joined by several other area sheriffs, will join the boys at camp for a day of activities and on another day parents visit the camp, where many will see the positive changes in their sons. While at the camp, activities will include swimming, boating, archery, target shooting, ecology studies, handcrafts, first aid, physical fitness and camp cookery. Campers are urged to bring clothing, toiletries, swimsuit, soap, pillow, sleeping bag or bedding, flashlight, canteen, camera, sunscreen, fishing gear and personal first aid kit. Boys are nominated to attend the camp in early May and others potential campers are suggested by parents. For additional information on the camp call -1355.